Largest fire currently burning in the Panhandle National Forest
The Parker Ridge Fire in northwestern Boundary
County has continued to spread in a
northeasterly direction, toward private property
and structures in that direction.Helicopters have dropped water on that area of the fire, and the Helena Hotshots have cleared brush and anchored a fire line at a residence along Westside Road, along with additional work to protect private properties. Helicopter reconnaissance flights continue while ground crews prepare homes in the area, install sprinkler systems, and conduct defensive actions for Westside Road properties.
Protecting structures and private timber is a high priority for the firefighting team.
The Parker Ridge Fire is the largest fire currently burning on the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. Using infrared fly-over equipment and other methods, fire officials are estimating the size of the fire at 1,200 acres as of yesterday morning, August 13. Containment remains at 0%.
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There are 76 firefighters assigned to the Parker Ridge Fire, a significant increase in personnel at this fire in spite of firefighting resources being severely stretched with many wildfires in Idaho and in many other western states.
For example, a lightning storm that moved through north Idaho Monday night resulted in at least 35 new fires across north Idaho. The majority of these new fires are located on the St. Joe and Coeur d’Alene River Ranger Districts.
The largest of these is the Lawyer Complex Fire. This complex is made up of 21 fires and is approximately 2,000 acres between Kamiah and Orofino. It started during Monday's lightning storm (August 10) at about 5:30 p.m. Bob Fry’s Northern Rockies Type 2 Incident Management Team has been assigned to work this fire and is concentrating on the main section of the Complex. Greg Poncin’s Type 1 Incident Management Team out of Northwest Montana is assisting with the portion of the complex on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest. There are currently 300 personnel working on the fire complex.
Due to these north Idaho fires being lightning caused, most are located high on ridge tops and none pose any imminent threat to structures. Nearly every wildland firefighter in north Idaho is currently engaged in attacking at least one of the fires, and additional firefighting resources have been requested from neighboring areas.